C Hopper

David,

Any updates? it been over 6 months since this thread has seen anything new.
I sure would like to see some updated pictures!

Oh, and did the county say anything about the mosquito control killing bees?

@ Jack Spirco,

Can we have an update to Agritrue?

I should add some note and explanation for the above file ^ I added.

The pdf is a scan of a hand drawn front view and side view of my idea. The proportions are probably not even close (especially the heat riser bell) but I think my scribbles get the point across. I would be very interested to hear ideas/opions from Erica &/or Ernie Wisner.

C Hopper wrote:I have been brainstorming how to efficiently make biochar. The TLUD seems rather inefficient as so much fuel is burned to heat the retort.

I have not tried any of this yet as I just put it onto paper yesterday, but here goes.

construct an outdoor rocket mass heater with the following differences:
1. instead of (or perhaps on top of) the big bell (heat riser) that radiates heat, place an old iron woodstove (or any sort of sealable durable metal container) that would function as the retort.
2. There could be a wood gas exhaust line (from the retort) with multiple valves to allow distribution to mulitiple useful ends (internal combustion electrical generator, cookstove, down into the rocket...)
3. The insulating mass would cover the entire apparatus with moveable insulation for the retort door.
4. no long warming bench for the rocket exhaust. Place heat exchanger fins under the retort in the heat riser chamber, to extract as much heat from the exhaust as possible.

I am only imagining how this would work from listening to podcasts and reading articles. But with the technicalities worked out and much experimentation I think that it could be a much more efficient means of producing biochar and usable wood gas for the homestead.

Here are a couple childlike drawings that I made during an HR meeting at work, lol.

I wanted to add this to the discussion here.

I have been brainstorming how to efficiently make biochar. The TLUD seems rather inefficient as so much fuel is burned to heat the retort.

I have not tried any of this yet as I just put it onto paper yesterday, but here goes.

construct an outdoor rocket mass heater with the following differences:
1. instead of (or perhaps on top of) the big bell (heat riser) that radiates heat, place an old iron woodstove (or any sort of sealable durable metal container) that would function as the retort.
2. There could be a wood gas exhaust line (from the retort) with multiple valves to allow distribution to mulitiple useful ends (internal combustion electrical generator, cookstove, down into the rocket...)
3. The insulating mass would cover the entire apparatus with moveable insulation for the retort door.
4. no long warming bench for the rocket exhaust. Place heat exchanger fins under the retort in the heat riser chamber, to extract as much heat from the exhaust as possible.

I am only imagining how this would work from listening to podcasts and reading articles. But with the technicalities worked out and much experimentation I think that it could be a much more efficient means of producing biochar and usable wood gas for the homestead.

Here are a couple childlike drawings that I made during an HR meeting at work, lol.

Xisca Nicolas wrote: Why a homeowners association (I do not know what it is exactly...) prevents you from doing it?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeowners_association

Homeowners associatiations are much too complicated for me to explain but wikipedia usually gets pretty close to the mark. Sufficed to say that the rules prevent me from modifying the yard around my townhouse without approval from the association (all the other neighbors).

Now don't misunderstand, I do find interesting edible trees sprouting up all over the place... Must be those carrier pigeons from Sepp's place.

Also, the area of "yard" that I call mine is approximately 20ft by 10ft. See townhouse below. While mine is in a quiet gated neighborhood you can still get the point, I hope.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Townhouse


BTW, Thank you to whomever made the change to the thread title. Looks great!

Eric Markov wrote:
"Hugelchar"' is a nice moniker!

Awesome! I wonder if I can change the heading from "Tropical biochar hugelculture hybrid" to "Hugelchar"?
Moderator?
Bueller?
Anyone?

David, I love it! I look forward to following and watching your food forest bloom.

Here is a link to an idea I can't wait to try out. Maybe you might find it useful. https://permies.com/t/15919/permaculture/Tropical-biochar-hugelculture-hybrid

Tiberiu Doman wrote:
My only question would be how long do you intend to live there? Three feet above sea level might start to get problems (sea water in the aquifers) very soon.

I have not purchased the land yet. I believe the actual elevation is between 12 and 13ft in the area I'm looking. By the time sea level rises that high I think my great grandkids will have time to migrate...

David Chapman wrote:
If you'd ever like to get together and talk permaculture, lunch is on me. Just PM me.

Ha! I will take you up on that offer!

My wife and I are planning to purchase (summer of 2013) as large a piece as we can afford in Golden Gate. I have wild dreams of growing a semi-autonomous permaculture centric homestead. By late next year we should have the cash put by for a downpayment.

I don't have much physical experience with implimenting permaculture but I think I'm pretty book smart. If you have a need for another strong back to help with implementing your plans, I would be happy to gain some experience.